Pollinator Love
Resources
Pollinator garden ideas from the USDA and The Xerces Society
New England Native Plants Initiatives page by UConn
Pollinator Partnership web site
Pollinator page by the National Park Service
Article about some benefits of untreated lawns
Interesting study about coextinction among keystone pollinators and plants
Research about non-bee pollinators, including advantages they have over bees
Article about varied results among research about the effects of neonics on bees and another article highlighting risks
Three Easy Steps for a
Pollinator-Friendly
Garden
Embrace a chemical-free garden and yard.
Refrain from any 'cides! Remember to check for sneaky ingredients, such as herbicides in grass seed. Even natural and organic-approved products require research, as some are toxic to pollinators, while others require specific application guidelines. Embrace a natural lawn! Dandelions and clover can be good sources of nectar.
1.
Provide nourishment.
Pollinators need sources of food and water throughout the year. Encourage native plants with nectar flows that span the seasons. Source untreated plants (e.g., neonic-free). If natural water sources are limited, create one. All you need is a shallow dish with small rocks (or other items, to prevent pollinators from drowning). Keep the water fresh to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
2.
Provide habitat.
Help all pollinators by promoting habitat options, including wild spaces and native plants. The campaign to plant milkweed for monarch butterflies is a well-known example of a habitat initiative (but again, go native and always do some research - avoid Asclepias curassavica). Don't do too much fall clean-up, and consider making a solitary bee "hotel".
3.